-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has announced that he will run in next month 's presidential election to replace the late Hugo Chavez .

He faces an uphill battle against acting President Nicolas Maduro , who was sworn in last week and was Chavez 's hand-picked successor .

According to state news , the candidates have until Monday to register for the April 14 election .

`` Nicolas , I will not give you a free path , '' Capriles told reporters Sunday . `` You will have to defeat me with votes . ''

Capriles , 40 , ran against Chavez last year and lost . But he mounted one of the fiercest challenges during the late president 's 14 years in power .

He accused the government of manipulating Chavez 's death for political gain

`` My fight is not to be president . My fight is for Venezuela to move forward , '' Capriles said Sunday night .

Maduro quickly fired back , appearing on state-run VTV to counter Capriles , calling him irresponsible .

`` His aim is to provoke the Venezuelan people , '' Maduro said . `` He 's looking for violence . ''

The sharp exchange gave a potential preview of what the campaign period might look like -- angry , bitter and deeply divided .

Earlier Sunday , Maduro , 50 , the ruling Socialist Party 's candidate , picked up an endorsement from the country 's small Communist Party .

He vowed to continue the policies and vision of Chavez , who died last week of cancer .

Chavez was a larger-than-life leader , who positioned himself as a champion of the poor and cast himself as a `` 21st-century socialist . ''

Making the poor count -- a Hugo Chavez legacy

He was a polarizing figure , revered by legions even as others accused him of repressing dissenting voices and turning over once-independent institutions to partisan loyalists .

`` I will be president and commander in chief of the armed forces because that 's what Chavez ordered me to do . I will follow his orders , but I need the help of the people , '' Maduro said , according to VTV .

When Maduro was sworn in last week , Capriles protested loudly , telling reporters in Caracas the ceremony was `` an abuse of power . ''

`` To be president , the people have to elect you , '' he said . `` The constitution is very clear . ''

Maduro addressed the upcoming election .

`` May the best person win , '' he said . `` The people will decide . ''

@highlight

NEW : Henrique Capriles will face acting President Nicolas Maduro

@highlight

NEW : The two traded angry barbs Sunday night

@highlight

Capriles lost to Chavez last year ; Maduro is the late president 's hand-picked successor

@highlight

Candidates have until Monday to register for the April 14 election